Hear stories of people with disabilities who explored employment options and achieved results by using the Vocational Futures Planning and Support (VFPS) process.

John wanted a job close to home, and in his small community the opportunities were somewhat limited. John had never worked, and with a progressive condition called Fredrick’s Ataxia, he relied on a wheelchair for mobility. With good upper body strength, however, he could do light labor. Through the VFPS process, John explored options for the type of employment that would match his skills and abilities.

After hearing John’s story and talking about his employment goals and abilities, his Employment Specialist thought about her network of employers and arranged for John to meet with local business owners. The Employment Specialist arranged for an informational interview for John with a local employer. The owner instantly took a liking to John and wanted to find an opportunity in his company.

The company makes the material used to coat medication. With help from the Employment Specialist, the owner conducted a needs analysis and found that certain tasks were not getting done on time because other employees were focused on more essential tasks. John was hired part-time to clean the parts used in the development process.

The owner insisted on paying John the same hourly wage he paid other employees, even though John’s productivy was lower due to his physical limitations.

Being newly employed, John worried about the impact of work on his health benefits. A Work Incentives Benefits Specialist (WIBS) worked with John and his employer to ensure he was able to maintain necessary health benefits.

Where is he now?

Thirteen years later, John is still employed at the Coating Place. Although his progressive neurological disease is taking its toll, John is proud to say that most people with his condition don’t live to see their 40th birthday. John just turned 41. He attributes his longevity to his job, which gives him purpose, and his colleagues, whom he calls family. Being a social guy, he claims he would have died long ago sitting in his apartment alone every day. His work-station exemplifies his favorite sports team, the Dallas Cowboys, which his co-workers rib him about constantly.

The VFPS process is a team-based process, getting all of the appropriate people together to examine barriers and explore solutions. The process is consumer-driven and consumer-directed. The individual takes an active role, working with the employment specialist as well as service providers, advocates, mentors and others on their team. But it is also a flexible process and should be molded and shaped to meet the needs and desires of a particular individual.